How do I set up my Telstra Smart Modem?

In this video I will talk you through how to set up your new Telstra Smart Modem, and connect to your nbn service. 

This video focuses specifically on nbn Hybrid Fibre Coaxial, or HFC for short. If you have another connection type, please select the video that relates to that one. 

This set up process itself will take around half an hour, and the transitioning of your fixed services to the nbn can take up to 1 hour. So, it’s a good idea to make sure you have another way to contact or be contacted if the need arises. A charged mobile should do the trick.

Before we get started, have your Telstra Smart Modem, nbn connection box, and any cables that came with each, ready to go. But be sure to take the time read any information that came with those devices, especially the incompatible devices section of your Quick Start Guide.

Decide on where your connection box and modem will live. You’ll want to make sure this isn’t inside a cabinet, or behind any large objects, to ensure you get the best Wi-Fi signal throughout your premises.

You will also require a power outlet for your Smart Modem, one for any nbn connection box not already set up, and both will need to be nearby your connection point.).

Once you’ve settled on a spot, unplug any and all devices connected to telephone ports around your premises. Now we’re ready to begin.

As there are a few possible HFC set up scenarios, lets determine which type of set up you’re using.

Firstly, if you have an existing nbn connection box, that is one like this or one attached to your wall, you can go ahead and connect this to your Telstra Smart Modem. I’ll explain how to do that in a moment.

Secondly, If you don’t yet have an nbn connection box set up, but have an existing cable internet wall outlet. Plug the nbn connection box into that port.

To do so, take the white coaxial cable with grey ends, and screw one end into the back of the connection box, and the other into the wall port.

And finally if you’re connecting to an existing Foxtel outlet, first locate the coaxial splitter to the wall port, then locate your Foxtel set top box.

Both your NBN and Foxtel will use the same outlet for connectivity, so start by following the lead from the set top box to the wall and then unscrew it.

Screw the short white cable with grey ends into the end of the coaxial splitter that has only one connection point and the other, into the wall port.

In both scenarios you may now plug the black power adaptor for your connection box into the wall and turn it on, if it is not already plugged in.

Your nbn connection box will now start up. This may take up to 15 minutes, but it’s important that you don’t turn the box back off during this time.

Your nbn connection box has four indicator lights on the front panel. During the start-up sequence the nbn connection box lights will flash. Once they become solid green the service is ready.

Now it’s time for your Telstra Smart Modem! You don’t need to wait until all of the lights on the nbn connection box are green to set this up.

Retrieve that from its box and locate the cord with one yellow end and one red end. 

Take that yellow end of the cord, and plug it into the yellow port on the nbn connection box.

And plug the red end in to the red port on the Smart Modem

Next, plug the black power adaptor into the back of your smart modem, the other end into your wall, and switch it on.

It’s also important to plug the 4GX USB Pro into the side or back of the Telstra Smart Modem. This ensures you stay connected to the internet in case of a fault.

The Telstra Smart Modem is now going to start up. The Internet LED light on the front of the Telstra Smart Modem will flash orange while connecting, and show blue once connected to the network. If the modem is connected to Telstra’s mobile network as a backup, the light will flash red. 

It’s not uncommon for that light to change back and forth between these colours while it’s starting up, so don’t worry if it goes green for a moment and then back to orange again.

This start up and connection process will usually take around 15 minutes but can take up to half an hour in some instances. Once the light on the front settles on blue, you’re ready to connect to the internet!

Even if you don’t need to use your service right away, it’s important to leave that all connected as we will need to run a few tests on your newly connected service, just to make sure everything is working properly.

But if you do want to get into it right away, you don’t need to wait. We’ll run those tests in the background, so you can feel free to start connecting your devices to your Telstra Smart Modem.

To connect to your modem via Wi-Fi locate the fridge magnet that came in the box with your Smart Modem. This will have the log in details you need.

To connect to your modem via ethernet, grab the LAN cable (that’s the one with two yellow ends), plug one end into any yellow port on the Telstra Smart Modem, and the other into your devices network port.

If you want to plug your fixed phone in also, repeat the ethernet cable steps above, but this time use the cable with grey ends and plug this into the GREEN telephone port. And remember your modem will need to be switched on to make and receive calls.

It’s as easy as that! But if you do have any other questions, or just want some advice about getting the most out of your internet service, head to telstra.com.au/support.

In this video I will talk you through how to set up your new Telstra Smart Modem, and connect to your nbn service. 

This video focuses specifically on nbn Fibre to the Node and nbn Fibre to the Building, or FTTN and FTTB for short. If you have another connection type, please select the video that relates to that one. 

And if you have any further questions, during or after this video, head to Telstra.com/support for our online help centre.

It is important that you set up your modem as soon as possible to ensure your services continue to operate while we complete your nbn activation.

This set up process itself will take around half an hour, and the transitioning of your fixed services to the nbn can take up to 1 hour. So, it’s a good idea to make sure you have another way to contact or be contacted if the need arises. A charged mobile should do the trick.

Before we get started, have your Telstra Smart Modem and any cables that came in the box ready to go. Be sure to take the time read any information that came with those devices, especially the Health & Safety information and incompatible devices.

Decide on where your modem will live. You’ll want to make sure this isn’t inside a cabinet, or behind any large objects, to ensure you get the best Wi-Fi signal throughout your home.

You’ll also need to have one power outlet, and a telephone wall socket nearby.

Once you’ve settled on a spot, unplug any and all devices connected to telephone ports around your home. Now we’re ready to begin.

Retrieve the modem from its box and locate the cord with two grey ends. One end will already be connected to the grey DSL port on the modem.

Take the other end and plug it into the telephone wall socket.

The power cord for the Smart Modem will be connected already, so now take the grey power adaptor, plug that into a nearby power outlet, and switch it on.

The Telstra Smart Modem is now going to start up. When it does the light at the front will be white, letting you know that the device has powered up. While it’s in the process of connecting to the internet it will turn orange, and once a connection is established it will turn green

It’s not uncommon for that light to change back and forth between these colours while it’s starting up, so don’t worry if it goes green for a moment and then back to orange again.

This start up and connection process will usually take around 15 minutes but can take up to half an hour in some instances. Once the light on the front settles on green, you’re ready to connect to the internet!

Even if you don’t need to use your service right away, it’s important to leave that all set up as we will need to run a few tests on your newly connected service, just to make sure everything is working properly.

But if you do want to get into it right away, you don’t need to wait. We’ll run those tests in the background, so you can feel free to start connecting your devices to your Telstra Smart Modem.

To connect to your modem via Wi-Fi locate the fridge magnet that came in the box with your Smart Modem. This will have the log in details you need.

To connect to your modem via ethernet cable, grab the LAN cable (that’s the one with two yellow ends), plug one end into any yellow port on the Telstra Smart Modem, and the other into your devices network port.

If you want to plug your home phone in also, repeat the ethernet cable steps above, but this time use the cable with grey ends and plug it into the green phone port. 

And remember your modem will need to be switched on to make and receive calls.

And we’re done. It’s as easy as that! But if you do have any other questions, or just want some advice about getting the most out of your internet service, head to telstra.com/support and check out our online Help Centre.

In this video I will talk you through how to set up your new Telstra Smart Modem, and connect to your nbn service. 

This video focuses specifically on nbn Fibre to the Curb, or FTTC for short. If you have another connection type, please select the video that relates to that one. 

This set up process itself will take around half an hour, and the transitioning of your fixed services to the nbn can take up to 1 hour. So, it’s a good idea to make sure you have another way to contact or be contacted if the need arises. A charged mobile should do the trick.

Before we get started, have your Telstra Smart Modem, nbn connection box, and any cables that came with each, ready to go. But be sure to take the time to read any information that came with those devices, especially the incompatible devices section of your Quick Start Guide.

Decide on where your connection box and modem will live. You’ll want to make sure this isn’t inside a cabinet, or behind any large objects, to ensure you get the best Wi-Fi signal throughout your premises.

You’ll also need to have two power outlets, and a telephone wall socket nearby.

Once you’ve settled on a spot, unplug any and all devices connected to telephone ports around your premises. Now we’re ready to begin.

Let’s start with your nbn connection box. 

Get the connection box out of the box and look for this sticker. Peel it off.

Find the cable with grey ends. Plug one end into the back of the nbn connection box, and the other in the wall socket.

Next take the black power adaptor, and plug this in to the back of the connection box. Plug the other end in to a nearby power outlet and switch it on.

Your nbn connection box will now start up. This may take up to 15 minutes, and it’s important that you don’t turn the nbn connection box back off during this time.

If after 15 minutes you don’t have solid blue lights on the front panel, try a different wall socket.

Now it’s time for your Telstra Smart Modem!

Retrieve that from its box and locate the cord with one yellow end and one red end. 

Take that yellow end of the cord, and plug it into the yellow port on the nbn connection box and plug the red end in to the red port on the Modem

It’s also important to plug the 4GX USB Pro into the side or the back of the Telstra Smart Modem. In the unlikely case of a fault, it will automatically activate and ensure you stay connected to the internet via the Telstra mobile network.

Plug the black power adaptor into the back of the Telstra Smart Modem, and then plug the other end into a nearby power outlet, and switch it on.

The Telstra Smart Modem is now going to start up. 

The Internet LED light on the front of the Telstra Smart Modem will flash orange while connecting and show solid blue once connected to the network. If the modem is connected to Telstra’s mobile network as a backup, the light will flash red.

This start up and connection process will usually take around 15 minutes but can take up to half an hour in some instances. Once the light on the front settles on blue, you’re ready to connect to the internet!

Even if you don’t need to use your service right away, it’s important to leave that all set up as we will need to run a few tests on your newly connected service, just to make sure everything is working properly.

But if you do want to get into it right away, you don’t need to wait. We’ll run those tests in the background, so you can feel free to start connecting your devices to your Telstra Smart Modem.

To connect to your modem via Wi-Fi locate the Wi-Fi Card that came in the box with your Telstra Smart Modem. This will have the log in details you need.

To connect to your modem via ethernet cable, grab the LAN cable that’s the one with two yellow ends, plug one end into any yellow port on the Telstra Business Smart Modem, and the other into your devices network port.

If you want to plug your phone, EFTPOS or FAX machine in also, Take the grey cable which came with that device and repeat the ethernet cable steps, plugging it into the green phone port this time.

And remember your modem and nbn connection Box will need to be switched on to make and receive calls.

If your modem is having trouble connecting to the nbn network, try turning it off, waiting a minute, and turning it back on again.

And we’re done. It’s as easy as that! But if you do have any other questions, or just want some advice about getting the most out of your internet service, head to telstra.com.au/support and check out our online Help Centre.